Automatic proportioning and dispensing apparatus for bulk materials



W. E. SAXE A-UYOMATIC PROPORTIONING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR BULK MATERIALS 5 Sheefs-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 16, 1940 HARE/Q; K15 Cf; P057151? (3 HARRAS F01? THE FIRM Dec. 7, 1943. w, E 2,336,130

AUTOMATIC PROPORTIONING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR BULK MATERIALS Filed Dec. 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F0 TAIL F/ M W. E. SAXE AUTOMATIC PROPORTIONING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR BULK MATERIALS Filed Dec. 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 7, 1943. v w. E.,$AXE I 2,336,130

AUTOMATIC PROPORTIONING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR BULK MATERIALS Filed Dec, 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 HWOJTISR & HARE/6 Dec. 7, 1943. w. E. SAXE 2,336,130

AUTOMATIC PROPORTIONING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR BULK MATERIALS Filed Dec. 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a 255 r50 62 232 g afd 24 //V VE N TO/Q,

#1444751? 5. 64x5 6 Y HA ERAS, mac/1; FOSTER & HA RR/J Wad Mat;

OF THE F/RM Patented Dec. 7, 1943 AUTOMATIC PROPOBTIONING AND DIS- :ENSING APPARATUS FOR BULK MATE- Walter E. Saxe, Alhambra, Calli'., asslgnor to The Los Angeles, Calif., a cor- Conveyor Company,

poration of Californl Application December 16, 1940, Serial No. 370,385

Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for dispensing bulk materials in measured quantities and more particularly relates to apparatus for measuring out intermixtures of materials in predetermined proportions.

While the invention is applicable to such apparatus broadly and in diverse fields for various purposes, it is being initially embodied in an automatic batching plant designed to handle constituent materials for concrete construction. It will sufiice for the purpose of disclosure to limit my description to such an embodiment of the invention since those skilled in the art will find adequate guidance herein for applying the invention wherever it may have utility. An automatic batching plant of the type under consideration has a plurality of material supply means or storage containers that empty in sequence into a common batch-container and has means responsive to the weight of the material in the batch-container to control the sequential quantitles that make up the final load of the batchcontainer.

Batching plants heretofore devised have been characteristically complicated and comprised of delicate mechanism providing multiple points subject to breakdown. Some well known designs have had pneumatic and hydraulic elements with the inevitable problem of fluid leakage and of variation in performance with variation in temperature and other factors. Such apparatus requires continual attention to maintain efficient and accurate operation.

One important object of my invention is to provide an exceptionally rugged, simple, and foolproof batching apparatus for high speed operation in which reliance is placed largely on simple and positive mechanical means as distinguished from pneumatic, hydraulic and photoelectric means. In this regard one purpose in mind is to provide a centralized mechanical means common to the various storage material supply means and adapted to operate in 'a cycle to discharge material from the supply means in sequence, the movement of the mechanical means from one sequential point to another in the cycle being governed by means responsive to the weight of the material received in the batch-container.

A further object is to provide such an automatic apparatus that may be quickly placed in manual operation on a moments notice and may be manually operated by one operator at a speed comparable to that of normal automatic operation.

One of the general objects of my invention relates to flexibility, first in the sense of adjustability relative to batching proportions, second, in the sense of adaptability to various material-handling procedures and, third, in the sense of adaptability for cooperation with various material-handling devices. It is contemplated that the batch proportions may be readily and quicklychanged whenever required and in one practice of the invention it is proposed to provide a proportion-controlling arrangement that may be pre-set for a plurality of predetermined batch specifications, any one of which may be subsequently elected without loss of time for changing over from one specification to another. It is further proposed to provide a batching apparatus that may be made automatic to various degrees and may be adapted for cooperation in a fully automatic manner with such material-receiving devices as trucks, concrete mixers, conveyors, etc.

One of the more specific objects of my invention relates to means for controlling discharge from a storage container into a batch-container or other receptacle when the discharge is to be cut off at a predetermined quantity in response to the weight of material in the receptacle. To achieve high production the discharge rate must be rapid, yet rapidity of material transfer makes it diiiicult to stop the material movement at the desired point for accurate weight. A prior solution for the problem is initially to open the discharge gate of the storage container quite wide for a substantial period of rapid discharge and then to partially close the gate to cause the material to dribble into the receptacle as the predetermined weight is approached. Such a solution adds complications to the mechanism for controlling the discharge gate in response to the weight of the transferred material. It is my object to achieve the same end by static structural means apart from the gate so that I may use simple opening and closing movements of the gate.

The above and other objects of my invention will be apparent in the following detailed description, taken with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, which are to be considered as illustrative only,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of cooperating elements in the preferred form of my invention, a wiring diagram being included;

Fig, 2 is a side elevation of a typical batching plant incorporating the principles of my invention;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the batching plant;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation on an tion being rotated 90 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing cooperating contacts in a weighing scale used in the apparatus;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line I 0lll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section taken along the line H-H of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating how one of my batching plants may be designed for cooperation with a truck; and

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view indicating how one of my batching plants may be designed to cooperate with a concrete mixer in a fully automatic manner.

An understanding of the principles underlying the various forms of my invention may be approached by first considering Fig. 1 which exemplifies some of the basic relationships.

A batch-hopper or batch-container in which the various constituents of the batch are weighed and accumulated is not shown in Fig. 1, but is represented by a gateZll that is opened to release the contents of the batch-hopper after the batch is completed. The weight of the batch-hopper load is transmitted to a scale generally designated 2i having a pointer 22 that serves as a moving contact to cooperate successively with four stationary contacts 23, 2 3, 25, and 26, the stationary contacts being spaced at selected weight values representing the desired proportioning of the various materials in the batchhopper. Four material supply means in the general combination are not shown in Fig. 1, but

are represented by four discharge-control levers 2i, 2, 29. and 36 that are normally in their lowermost positions at which flow of material to the batch-hopper is cut off. The four material supply means may be any material supply devices known to the art, but it is contemplated in the present construction the four material supply means will be in the form of storage containers having normally closed discharge gates that are opened when the corresponding discharge-control levers 2l30 are lifted.

The cyclic means for operating the four discharge-control levers 27-33 in sequence may take various forms. In the construction shown in the drawings the cyclic means includes a shaft 32 having polygonal portions 33 and also includes a control disc 35 rotated by the shaft and four trip arms 31, 38, 39 and 40 on the shaft to cooperate respectively with the discharge-control may be rotatively shifted to be effective simultaneously with a, second trip arm on the shaft.

The four trip arms 31-40 are rotated clockwise and preferably each of the trip arms has two end portions with corresponding rollers for successive contact with the corresponding discharge-control levers, the first effective roller on each trip arm being at a relatively long radius from the axis of the shaft 32 and the other roller 46 being at a relatively short radius. Thepurpose of providing the two end rollers at different radii is to cause each of the gates of the storage containers to be initially opened relatively wide by the outer roller 45 and then to be held at a less wide open position by the inner roller 46. Initially opening each of the four discharge gates relatively wide assures initiation of material flow through the gate and of course the degree to which it is necessary to intially open each gate for such assurance will vary with the material involved. The trip arm 39 is designed to operate a gate to release rockof relatively large size and therefore has its outer roller 45 at a relatively long radius from the shaft 32. Trip arms 37 and 38 are designed to release rocks of smaller size and therefore have their outer rollers 45 at shorter radial distances. The trip arm 40 is designed to control a sand gate and has its outer roller disposed at only a slightly greater radial distance than the inner roller 46.

Each revolution of the shaft 32 may be regarded as an operating cycle with operating points corresponding to the four discharge-control levers 21-30, the discharge-control levers being moved in sequence from their normal ineffective positions to their discharge positions. It is contemplated that the shaft will pause automatically at each of the sequential operating points to cause material from the four material supply means to flow into the batch-hopper and will automatically advance in the operating cycle whenever the scale 2i registers any one of a progressive series of selected weight values, the weight values being in accord with the desired proportions in the final batch. Any suitable means for actuating the shaft 32 may be employed providing it permits the required cyclic control. In the present construction I prefer to actuate the shaft by a motor Q? energized through three motor leads 48, 49, and 58] and to achieve the desired automatic operation by providing suitable control circuits responsive both to the scale it and the cyclic means as represented by the shaft 32.

What may be termed a primary control circuit for the motor has a trunk portion represented by Wires 52 and 53, and has a branch portion represented by a wire 55. It iscontemplated that the trunk and branch portions of the primary control circuit will be alternatively effective, the trunk portion being employed to initiate the operating cycle and to resume operation of the cyclic means at each of the. sequential operating points of the cycle, the branch I portion being employed to stop the motor automatically at each of the operating points of the cycle and at the end of the cycle. Preferably the trunk portion of the control circuit includes means to prevent operation of the cyclic means while the batch gate 20 is open and preferably the branch portion has an emergency switch for stopping operation of the cyclic means.

In the particular wiring layout shown in Fig. 1,

' the wire 52 energizes an electro-magnet 56 that is effective when energized to close a normally aaaarao open motor switch 51 and simultaneously to close an auxiliary switch 58 that is mechanically connected with the motor switch, the purpose of the electromagnet being to make the motor circuit "self-latching. The trunk portion of the primary control circuit includes the previously mentioned wire 53, a contact arm 66 of a relay 6|, a wire 62, a normally closed switch 63 that opens in response to the opening of the batch-gate 28, and a wire 65 connected with the motor lead 58. The branch portion of the primary control circuit includes the previously mentioned wire 55, the previously mentioned auxiliary switch 58, a wire 66, a normally closed emergency switch 61, a wire 68, a stop switch 10, and a wire 1| connected with the motor lead 50.

To open the normally closed stop switch 10, the control disc 35 is provided with four projections .18, H, 15; and 76 that are 90 .apart to corre- .jection "ll corresponding to the end of the op erating cycle, each-of the fiveprojections being 7 adapted to brush against and open the stop switch 10 by any of the projections 13-11 will cause the motor 47 to be deenergizeci, but that the stop switch 18 will be opened only momentarilyv and then close as the shaft 32 comes to rest. The momentum of the moving parts of the cyclic means will carry the various projections on the. control disc sufiiciently beyond the stop swtich 10. The projections 73 to 'il are therefore slightly advanced relative to the precise sequential points of the operating cycle at which the trip arms 3'|48 are to stop, and the projection Tl is advanced relative to the final position of the shaft 32 at the end of the cycle.

The relay 6| is in what may be termed afl'secondary control circuit of low voltage that is associated with a normally open starting switch 80 for initiating the operating cycle and is asso-- ciated with the weighing scale 2| for resuming the operating cycle at each of the previously mentioned sequential points in the cycle. To avoid accidental closing of the secondary control circuit by movements of the scale pointer 22 as will be explained later, and to keep more than one of the scale contacts 23-26 from being responsive at one time, I find it advantageous to mount a commutator generally designated 8| on the shaft 32. The commutator has a rotary contact arm 82 operated by the shaft 32 and has four stationary contacts 83, 84, 85, and 86 spaced 90 apart to correspond with the four sequential positions in the operating cycle.

The stationary contacts 83-86 of the commutator 8| are connected by four wires 89 with the four scale contacts 23--26 respectively. The secondary' control circuit as controlled by the scale 2| is completed as follows: A wire 98 from the relay 6| to the rotary contact 82, a wire 8| from the scale pointer 22 to ground, a wire 92 from ground to one side of a battery 93, and a Wire 85 from the battery 83 to the relay 6|.

A branch of the secondary control circuit through the starting switch 80 is provided by a wire 86 on one side of the switch to the wire 98 and a wire 91 from the other side of the switch to the wire 92, the starting switch being in effect in parallel with the scale 2|.

Fig. 1 shows the various movable parts at their various positions when the cyclic means is stationary and the batch-hopper is empty preparatory forinitiation of an operating cycle. Momentary closing of the starting switch 88 causes energization of the relay 6| to momentarily move the contact arm 68 of the relay to closed position. Since the batch-gate 26 is closed, the switch 63 is also closed so that the momentary energlzation of the relay 6| causes a surge of current through the trunk portion of the primary control circuit. The momentary surge of current through the trunk portion of the primary control circuit energizes the electromagnet 56 to close the auxiliary switch 58 and thereby establishes current flow through the branch portion of the primary control circuit, the branch portion remaining efiective by virtue of the electromagnet 5'6. Since the motor switch 51 closes with the auxiliary switch 58 in response to energization of the electromagnet 56, the motor 41 is thereby energized to rotate the shaft 32 and the shaft rotates until the first projection 13 on the control disc 35 brushes against and momentarily opens the stop switch The momentary opening of the stop switch 10 by the projection 13 stops flow of current through the electromagnet 56 and thereby permits both the motor switch 51 and the auxiliary switch 58- to open, the shaft 32 coming to stop at the first of-the. four sequential points'in the operating cycle. The tilted position of the discharge-control lever 27 at theiirst sequential point in the operating cycle results in flow ofrnaterial from the first of the four storage containers into the batch-hopper, and as the load of the batchhopper increases, the pointer 22 of the scale 2| responds by clockwise rotation.

Just before the pointer 22 reaches the scale value corresponding to the desired weight for the first material in the batch, the pointer causes the first stationary contact 23 to close the auxiliary control circuit momentarily through the relay 6| and theresulting momentary closing of the re-- lay contact arm 6|) causes the primary controlcircuit to be energized through its trunk position.

. The trunk portion of the primary control circuit is opened by the immediate return of the contact arm 60 to open position but the momentary flow of current through the trunk portion is sufficient to cause closing of the motor switch 51 and the auxiliary switch 58 by the electromagnet 56, thereby making the primary control circuit effective through its branch portion.

There may be appreciable lag between initial flow of current through the relay BI and sufficient rotation on the part Of the shaft 32 to release the discharge-control lever 21 and as a result an appreciable quantity of material may flow from the first storage container into the hopper after the pointer 22 reaches the contact 23; in practice, however, it is not a difficult matter to compensate for such lag by placing the contact 23 at a sufiiciently advanced position to cause the material flow to the batch-hopper to be cut oil at close approximation to the desired quantity. Another reason for placing the contact at an advanced position is to compensate for material falling through the air when the pointer reaches the contact.

After the motor is energized as the result of the pointer 22 reaching the contact 23, the motor continues to operate until the projection M reaches the stop switch 10 to break the motor circuit, the shaft coming to rest with the projection 14 clear of the stop switch. At this juncture the second trip arm 38 is holding the discharge-control lever 28 in t lted position to tainer to the batch-hopper. Eventually the scale pointer 22 reaches the second stationary contact 24 to cause the cyclic means to cut off the second storage container and advance to material from the third storage container in accord with the spacing of the contacts 24 and 25, and the pause at the fourth sequential point corresponding to the projection I6 onthe control disc releases a quantity of material from the fourth storage container determined by the spacing of the contacts 25 and 26.

When the scale pointer 22 reaches the final fixed contact 26, the motor is automatically energized to cause the fourth trip arm 46 to release the fourth storage-control lever 30 and then the fifth projection 11 on the control disc reaches the stop switch III to bring the shaft 32 to rest at the end of the operating cycle, the various movable parts being returned to the initial positions shown in Fig. 1.

After completion of the cycle, the operator opens the batch-gate to release the batch from the batch-hopper and as the batch-hopper empties, the scale pointer 22 swings back counter-clockwise to its original position. An important feature of the commutator action to be noted here is that the rotary contact arm 82 is at an ineffective position at the end of the operating cycle as indicated in Fig. 1 so that the return movement of the pointer 22 past the various fixed contacts 23-26 on the scale does not cause the secondary control circuit to close. The opening of the switch 63 in response to opening of the batch-gate 20 has the same effect of making the control system non-responsive to the return movement of the scale pointer 22, but I prefer to have the commutator perform the same function because otherwise an operator may manipulate the gate 20 to encourage material fiow from the hopper and thereby accidentally permit the switch 63 to close at a moment when the scale pointer 22 is at one of the scale contacts 232B.

It is quite desirable to provide some automatic means to prevent an operator from opening the batch-gate 2D in the course of the operating cycle while material is being deposited in the batchhopper. Such a means may take the form of an electrically controlled latch generally designated IIIII in Fig. 1 that latches the batch-gate 23 shut when deenergized and releases the batchgate for opening movement when energized. To cause this latch to be energized automatically at the end of the operating cycle, I place a normally open switch IOI near the control disc 35 to be closed by the cam action of a short flange I02 on the control disc. The latch circuit may be traced as follows: The previously mentioned wire 65 from the motor lead 56, a wire I03 to the latch I00, a wire I05 from the'latch to the switch II, and a'wire- I 06- from the switch IM to the motor lead 49. Throughout the operating cycle the switch I III is open and the late release material from the second storage conportable, since it is designed for convenient separation into units for transportation from one site to another. If the batch plant is employed for road construction, it may readily be advanced from point to point as the road work progresses.

The structure shown in Figs. 2 and 3 includes a frame generally designated I III that carries an upper storage bin generally designated III and an operating platform H2 at an intermediate level spaced sufficiently above the ground to clear a dump truck I I3. Underneath the storage bin I I I is a batch-container or hopper I I5 having the previously mentioned batch-gate 20 for controlling release of material to the truck II3.

Anyof the familiar arrangements may be provided to transmit the weight of the batch-container II5 to the previously mentioned scale 2|. In the present construction two torque rods II6 are provided on opposite sides of the batch-hopper and each torque rod has two levers I I7 rigidly fixed thereto. The outer end of each lever I I1 is suspended by a rod I I8 from a fixed bracket I20 and the inner end of each of the levers supports the batch-hopper through a short rod I2I connected to a bracket I22 on the side of the batch-hopper. Rotation of the torque rods IIG responsive to changes in the loading of the batch-hopper is transmitted to the scale 2I through the usual links and levers, generally designated I23 in Fig. 3.

The batch-gate 20 at the bottom of the batchhopper II5 comprises a pair of jaws I25 of well known construction that are intermeshed by teeth I26 to operate in synchronism. Any suitable means may be employed to operate the batch gate 20. For example, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 I mount an operating shaft I21 in suitable bearings I28 on the side of the batch-hopper and provide a manually operable lever I30 on the shaft within convenient reachof the operator. An arm I 3| keyed to the shaft I27 is connected to one of the gate jaws I25 through an adjustable link I32 so that clockwise rotation of the gate lever I30, as viewed in Fig. 4, causes the batchgate 20 to open, the position of the arm I3I and the link I32 at open position of the gate being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

On one side of the batch-hopper II 5 is the previously mentioned normally closed switch I53 that opens in response to opening movement of the batch-gate 20. Fig. 4 shows the switch 63 with an operating arm I33 positioned to be swung to a circuit opening position by an arcuate flange I 35 on one of the gate jaws I25. The arcuate extent of the flange I35 is such that the switch 63 is opened early in the opening movement of the gate 20 and remains open until near the end of the closing movement of the gate.

On the other side of the batch-hopper H5 is the previously mentioned automatic latch I00 which may be constructed as shown in Fig. 5. A

' latch arm I36 on a stationary pivot I3I normally the latch arm I36 is eifective to latch the gate when the solenoid is deenergized but is moved upward to release the gate when the circuit through the solenoid is closed.

The storage bin III at the upper level of the apparatus is adapted to be filled from above by use of acrane or other elevating means and is divided by three partitions I46 into four storage containers I41-I 50 corresponding respectively to the previously mentioned discharge-control levers 2130. The upper portions of the storage containers I41-I 50 are consolidated in one continuous structure, but the lower discharge portions of the containers are separate from each. other and spaced apart in a row across the top of the batch-hopper II5.

One of the features of the preferred form of my invention is the conception of dividing each of the storage containers I41-I50 by adjustable means into an upper storage compartment and a lower dispensing compartment. Thus in Fig. 4 I show the storage container I49 divided into an upper storage compartment I52 and a lower dispensing compartment I53, the division being made by a plate I55 having a central opening I56 for now of material from the upper storage compartment into the dispensing compartment. The plate I55 is removably supported by a set of clips I51 on the inner wall of the storage container and other sets of clips I58 may be provided for supporting similar plates at other levels to vary the capacity of the dispensing compartment I53. It is contemplated that various plates with various sizes of openings and adapted for use atvarious levels will be available in setting up the plant for various batching operations. The purpose of employing such plates to divide each of the storage containers into compartments is made clear later.

The bottom of each of the storage containers I41-I50 is normally closed by a gate I60, which may be constructed like the batch-gate 20. Fig. 6, for example, shows the gate I60 that controls discharge from the storage compartment I41. The gate I60 includes two gate jaws I6I that are mounted on pivots I62 and are intermeshed by teeth I63 to operate simultaneousiv. The opposite sloping walls of the storage container I41 adjacent the jaws I6I terminate at plates I65 that are mounted on the walls for adjustment towards the gate jaws. The drawings show each of the plates slotted for engagement by cap screws I66. One of the two jaws I6I of each of the gates I60 is provided with one of the discharge-control levers for opening the gate in response to cyclic rotation of the shaft 32. Thus Fig. 6 shows the right-hand jaw I6I rigidly carrying the discharge control lever 21 that is acted upon by the corresponding trip arm 31. The discharge-control lever 21 is provided with a replaceable hardened strip I61 for contact with the trip arm.

Fig. 6 shows clearly the manner in which the gate is opened by the trip arm 31. As the trip arm 31 swings upward against the dischargecontrol lever 21, it initially engages the lever by the outer roller 45 and tilts the lever to the extrem position shown in dotted lines at I68. As the shaft 32 comes to rest at the first sequential point in the operating cycle, the outer roller 45 passes beyond the discharge-control lever 21 and the lever then drops to a position of rest against the inner roller 46 at the tilted dotted line position I69 in Fig. 6.

To cause the various gates I60 to close automatically when th various discharge-control levers are released by the corresponding trip arms on the shaft 32, I contemplate employing yielding means to oppose the opening movements of the gates. In my preferred construction I rigidly mount a relatively long lever I10 on the second jaw of each gate to extend outward on the opposite side from the discharge-control lever of the gate and I mount a weight I1I on the lever I10 to cause the gate to close by gravity. As shown in Fig. 6 the weight III is apertured to slide on the lever I10 and is releasably secured by a cap screw I12. The feature of my construction involved here is that each of the four gates I60 may be operated manually independently of the shaft 32 and the various trip arms by simply lifting the corresponding lever I10, and

if manual operation is to be carried out for any substantial period of time, the various weights I10 may be shoved inward to make the opening movements easier for the operator.

The shaft 32, as best shown in Fig. 4, may be carried by a number of bearings I15 that are mounted on various supporting brackets I16. The previously mentioned motorv 41, which may be adjustably mounted on the side of the storage bin III and which may have a built-in magnetic latch I11, is operatively connected to the shaft 32 through a gear reduction mechanism I18, a. small sprocket I80, and a sprocket chain I8I to a larger sprocket I82 in the end of the shaft.

The construction of the commutator BI on the opposite end of the shaft is best shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Since there are four contacts in the present construction, I find it convenient to incorporate in the commutator an ordinary distributor manufactured for use in ignition systems of four-cylinder automobiles. In the construction shown a fitting generally designated I83 fixedly mounted on the end of the shaft 32 rotatably extends into a fixed collar I85 that is carried by a stationary support plate I86, and a cylindrical casing I81 is mounted on the stationary plate to house the commutator. The previously mentioned four commutator contacts 83-86 are mounted at spacing in a fixed insulating ring I88 and the previously mentioned rotary contact arm 82 rotates inside this insulating ring. Figs. 7 and 8 show the rotary contact arm 82 pivotally mounted on a. screw I90 in the end of the fitting I83 and show the familiar spring I9I to urge the arm outward against the insulating ring I88.

My preferred construction for the control disc 35, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, includes a hub member I92 keyed to the shaft 32, an annular plate or primary ring I93 adjustably mounted on the hub member, and a secondary ring I adjustably carried by the primary ring. The hub member I92 has spaced arcuate slots I96 concentric to the axis of the shaft 32, through which extend suitable bolts I91 for releasably anchoring the primary ring I93 in a manner to permit limited rotational adjustment of the primary ring relativ to the hub. To maintain a given rotary relationship between the hub member I92 and the primary ring I93 and to facilitate adjustment in the relationship the hub member may have an integral radial arm I96 adjustably confined between two set screws 200 mounted in small brackets 20I on the face of the primary ring.

The secondary ring I95 is mounted on the primary ring I93 for rotational adjustment by four bolts 202 extending through arcuate slots 203 in the primary ring. The four previously mentioned projections 13-16 on the control disc 35 that correspond to the four sequential points in th operating cycle may be in the form of rollers rotatably mounted on the adjustment bolts 202, suitable sleeves (not shown) being mounted on the bolt to carry the rollers. It is apparent that adjustment of the primary ring relative to the hub and/or adjustment of the secondary the primary ring I93 and the material of the secondary ring I95. Figs. 7 and 8 show that the previously mentioned stop switch I is located adjacent the control disc 35 and has a control arm 208 that extends inthe path of the five projections 13-41 in such manner that the switch I0 is momentarily opened five times in each rotation of the control disc.

Figs. '7 and 8 show the previously mentioned switch IOI that is closed at the end of the operating cycle to deenergize the batch-gate latch I00. The switch IOI has an operating arm 2I0 that is adapted to be deflected to a circuit-closing position by the previously mentioned flange I02. As shown in Fig. '7 the flange I02 may be an arcuate piece of angle-iron 2II mounted on the face of the primary disc I93.

The scale 2! has a dial 2I5, the construction of' which may be understood by referring to Figs. 3,9, 10, and 11. The dial 2I5 comprises a plate of non-conducting material having a front I face 2I6 and a rear face 211. The front face 2I5 is traversed by the pointer 22 and is marked with graduations 2H! to indicate the net weights of material in the batch-hopper H5. Numerous holes 220 are provided in the dial 2I5 to correspond with spaced weight values. For close control of the batch proportions the holes 220 may be relatively close together. In using a 5000 pound scale with a 30 inch dial, I find that by arranging the holes in staggered rows, I may provide a hole for every five pounds marked on the face of the dial.

A number of plug members 22I corresponding to the number of storage containers, in this case four, are mounted on electric cords 222 at the rear of the dial 2I5, each of the plug members having a pin portion constituting one of the previously mentioned scale contacts 2326. In Fig. 9 the plug 22I carries the scale contact 23 and the scale contact is mounted in one of the holes 220 to protrude forward from the dial 2E5 towards the pointer 22. It is apparent that the four contacts 2326 may be shifted at will to represent any progressive series of selected weight values.

The pointer 22 may carry any suitable type of contact to cooperate with the stationary contacts 23--26 without hindering the movements of the pointer 22 to any significant degree. In my preferred construction I mount a small bracket 223 on the side of the pointer 22 towards the dial 2I5 to journal the trunnions 225 of a light metal leaf 225, the metal leaf constituting the movable contact for closing circuits through the various stationary contacts 23-26.

' The metal leaf 226 is very lightly urged towards the dial 2I5 by a small coil spring 221 that acts between a small ear 228 of the leaf and a pin 230 in a small bracket 23 I To initiate operation of the apparatus an operator on the platform H2 presses a starting but= ton constituting the switch 80 of Fig. 1 to energize the motor 41. The shaft 32 is thereupon automatically turned to the first sequential point in the operating cycle to hold the discharge-control lever 21 in tilted position. When each of the gates I60 of the storage containers is opened in the course of the operating cycle, initially material passes at a rapid rate into the batch-hopper II5 because a substantial quantity of material is stored in the replenishing compartment I53 immediately above the gate I60. When the stored quantity in the dispensing compartment is exhausted, however, flow into the batch-hopper H5 is thereafter restricted to the flow capacity of the opening I56 in the plate I55 that separates the dispensing compartment I53 from the upper storage compartment I52. The effect is the same as would result from initially opening the discharge-gate I60 relatively wide and then partially closing the gate as the quantity of transferred material reaches the desired predetermined value'at which flow is to be cut off. It is to be noted that I attain the desired flow control by static structure without relying upon any functional means responsive to the weight of maerial in the batch-hopper. Although static structure is relied upon, however, the arrangement is quite flexible since various batching plates I55 may be employed at various levels.

At the end of the operating cycle of the shaft' 32 the motor 41 stops and the batch-gate latch I00 is automatically released. The operator may then open the batch-gate 20 by swinging the operating arm I30 to discharge the load of the batch-hopper to the dump truck below. To make the apparatus responsive to the starting button 80 for initiating the next cycle, the operator must close the batch-gate 20 and thereby close the switch 63.

If there is any failure of the automatic system, the operator may resort to manual operation to maintain production. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3', the scale 2I is in full view of the operator for his guidance in manipulation of the various gate levers I10.

Fig. 12 indicates schematically how a batch plant, as described above, may be adapted for two different batch settings on the scale 2| to be used selectively and further indicates how such a modification of the invention may be operated automatically by movement of a truck into receiving position under the batch-hopper.

.The primary control circuit in Fig. 12 is identical with the previously described control circuit of Fig. 1 and some of the elements of the secondary control circuits are unchanged, corresponding numbers being used to identify corresponding elements.

In Fig. 12 wires 232 connect the stationary contacts 83-86 of the commutator III with the switch arms 233-236 respectively. All of the switch arms 233-435 are controlled by an operating rod 238 that may be moved between an upper position and an alternate lower position, the operating rod being adapted to maintain either position to which it may be moved. At the upper position of the operating rod 238 the switch arms 233-235 are in electrical contact with a corresponding set of wires 240 which lead respectively It is contemplated that the batching plant constructed as indicated in Fig. 12, will be used concurrently by fleets of truck handling two different batch requirements for two different construction Jobs. Each of the trucks has two metal flags or plates, a left-hand flag 243 positioned on the truck to cooperate with a normally open left-hand switch 245 of the batch plant, and a right-hand flag 248 positioned to cooperat with a normally open right-hand switch 241 of the apparatus. Each of the flags represents one of the two batch settings of the scale and may carry a suitable identifying legend. Each of the flags may be hinged for movement between a lower inoperative position and an upright effective position.

When a truck with the lefthand flag 243 in operative position drives into receiving position under the batch-hopper of the apparatus, the flag brushes against and temporarily closes the switch 245 and thereupon causes current to flow through the following circuit: battery 258, wire 25l, switch 245, wire 252, upper solenoid 253, wire 255, relay 8|, wire 258 back to the battery 258. The energization of the relay 8| by this circuit closes the switch 88 in the primary control circuit to initiate the operating cycle of the shaft 32. Simultaneously the energization of the solenoid 253 causes the operating rod 238 to be shifted to its upper position if the operating rod is not already in its upper position. At the upper position of the operating rod 238 the scale contacts 2328 are effective to control the operating cycle and a batch of the corresponding proportions is automatically built up in the batch-hopper.

When the moving parts of the apparatus become stationary at the end of the cycle that i automatically initiated by the movement of the truck into receiving disposition, the truck driver or an operator at the apparatus opens the main batch-gate to dump the batch into the truck.

If the truck approaches with the right-hand flag 248 in upright position instead of the lefthand flag 243, the switch 241 is momentarily closed to establish the following circuit: battery 258, wire 25!, switch 241, wire 251, lower solenoid 258, wire 288, the previously mentioned wire 255, relay 8| and wire 258 back to the battery 258. This last circuit momentarily energizes the relay 8| to start the operating cycle and the solenoid 258 causes the operating rod 238 to take its lower position whereupon the second set of scale contacts 23a28a become effective to control the proportioning of materials in the batch-hopper.

The apparatus of Fig. 12 may be operated independently of the two switches 245 and 241 by manipulating a suitable control lever 28l to shift the operating, rod 238, if required, and then closing a starting switch 282. As indicated in the drawings one side of the starting switch 282 is connected to the wire 255 and the other side is connected to the wire 251, the switch being in series with the relay 8 I.

Fig. 13 will indicate to those skilled in the art how my batching plant may be arranged to opcrate in a fully automatic manner in response to the cyclic movements of a material receiving means such as a cement mixer 283. The cement mixer 283 is of a conventional type in which a clutch lever 285 is manipulated as required to cause a skip 288 to move between a lower receiving position and an upper position at which the skip empties into a revolving drum 281 of the mixer.

"-The cement mixer may be operatively associated with the batch plant in various ways. In the present arrangement it is contemplated that the skip 288 at its uppermost position will close a normally open switch 218 to close the batchgate 28 and on its way downward to its lower position will momentarily close a starting switch 2H for initiating the operating cycle of the apparatus, the skip coming to rest at its lowermost position against a normally open switch 212 and holding the switch 212 closed to cause the batchgate 28 to open automatically at the end of the operating cycle.

Many of the elements of Fig. 13 are identical 5 with the previously described elements of Figs. 1

and 12, as indicated by the use of like numbers. The changes in the primary control circuit that distinguish Fig. 13 include the following. The wire 82 from one side of the relay contact arm 88 leads to a contactarm 213 of a limit switch generally designated 214 that is adapted to be opened automatically by an arm 215 on the batch-gate 28 to terminate the opening movement of the batchgate. When the switch 214 is in closed position, the switch arm 213 electrically connects th wire 82 with two contacts. The first of these contacts is connected by a wire 218 with one side of the above-mentioned switch 212, and from the other side of the switch 212 a wire 211 leads to a switch 218 at the control disc 35, the circuit through the switch 218 being completed by a wire 288 to the motor lead 58. The switch 218 is identical in construction and operation with the corresponding switch 18! in Figs. 1 and 12 but serves a different purpose as will be made apparent.

The second fixed contact of the switch 214 is connected by a wire 281 with a solenoid 282 at the upper end of an operating rod 283. The purpose of the operating rod 283 is to control a reversing switch generally designated 285 of a reversing split phase motor 288 that actuates the batch-gate 28. The solenoid 282 is in series with the motor 288 through a wire 281.

One side of the switch 218 that is closed at the upper position of the cement mixer skip is connected by a wire 288 to the wire 1| of the primary control circuit and the other side of the switch 218 is connected by a wire 289 to a second limit switch 298 for the batch-gate 28. The switch 298 is adapted to be opened automatically by an arm 25" on the batch-gate 28 to limit the closing movements of the batch-gate. From the limit switch 298 a wire 292 extends to a second solenoid 293 at the lower end of the operating rod 283 and the circuit through the solenoid 293 in series with the motor 288 is completed by a wire 295 that connects with the previously mentioned wire 281.

The circuit through the starting switch 211 that momentarily closes in response to the downward movement of the skip 288 may be traced as follows: a battery 298, a wire 291, a grounded wire 298 of the scale circuit, wire 98, relay 8|, a wire 388, starting switch 211, and a wire 38! back to the battery 298.

For the purpose of describing the operation of this last form of the invention, let it be assumed that the batch-gate 28 is open, switch 214 being open, and that the skip 288 is in the course of its upward movement to dump a batch into the revolving drum 281. When the skip reaches its uppermost position and thereby closes the switch 218, the batch-gate motor 288 is energized to close the batch-gate 28 through a circuit that includes the closed limit switch 298 and the solenoid 293, the function of the solenoid being to cause the hopper is completed.

- switch 2:2 to initiate the operating cycle of the shaft 32, whereupon a new batch is automatically deposited in the batch-hopper above the batch gate 20. The switch 218 is opened automatically before the skip reaches the switch 212 and remains open throughout the operating cycle but closes automatically when the load in the batch- When both the switch '218 and the switch 212 are closed, they complete a circuit through the batch-gate motor 286 through the upper solenoid 282 and the limit switch 214-.

The energization of the upper solenoid 282 shifts the reversing switch 285 of the motor 286 to'cause the motor to rotcte in a direction to open the batch-gate20, operating until the batch-gate second switch at the end of the operating cycle.

3. An apparatus of the character described having in combination; a plurality of material supply means; discharge-control means for each of said supply means movable from a normal inefiective position to a discharge position; a batch-container adapted to receive material from said supply means; a cyclic means common to all of said discharge-control means and adapted to move the discharge-control means to their discharge positions in sequence at sequential positions in an operating cycle; electrically-controlled means to actuate said cyclic means; a control circuit for said actuating means adapted when energized to cause operation of said cyclic means, said control circuit having a trunk portion and a branch portion; a first switch in said branch portion having an inherent tendency to open; electro-magnetic means in saidtrunk portion adapted when energized to hold said first switch closed in opposition to said inherent tendency; a second switch in said branch portion,

said second switch being normally closed and opens thelimit switch 214. The opening of the I batch-gate releases the batch to the skip 266 and the skip may then be again elevated to transfer material to the mixer drum 2G1.

The preferred form of my invention and the arrangements indicated by Figs. 12 and 13 will suggest to those skilled in the art various changes and substitutions that may be made in various practices and embodiments of my invention. I reserve the right to all such changes and substitutions that come within the scope of my appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus of the character described having in combination: a plurality of material supply means; discharge-control means for each of said supply means movable from a normal ineffective position to a discharge position; a

batch-container adapted to receive material from said supply means; acyclic means common to all of said discharge-control means and adapted to move said discharge-control means to their discharge positions in sequence at sequential points in an operating cycle; electrically-controlled means to actuate said cyclic means; a control circuit for said actuating means adapted when energized to cause operation of said cyclic means; a first switch in said control circuit having an inherent tendency to open; electro-magnetic means responsive to current in said circuit to hold said switch closed in opposition to said inherent tendency; a second switch in said circuit, said second switch being normally closed and being responsive to said cyclic means to open momentarily when said cyclic means approaches each of said sequential pointsin the operating cycle, thereby causing said first switch to open;

and means responsive to the weight of material in said batch container to cause said first switch to close whenever the weight of the material reaches one of a progressive series of selected magnitudes determined by the relative quantities desired from said supply means whereby said cyclic means advances automatically from one of said sequential points in the operating cycle when the desired quantity from the corresponding supply means is discharged into the batchcontainer.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which means is provided to close said first switch to initiate said operating cycle and in which means is provided to automatically open said means through said operating cycle;

in said trunk portion, said third switch being normally open and being adapted to close in response to the weight of material in said batch- .container at each weight value in a progressive series of selected values corresponding to the relative quantities of material desired from said supply means;

4. An apparatus of the character describedr having in combination: a plurality of material supply means; discharge-control means for each of said supply means movable from a normal ineffective position to a discharge position; a batch-container adapted to receive material from said supply means; a cyclic means common to all of said discharge-control means and adapted to move said discharge-control means to their discharge positions in sequence at sequential points in an operating cycle; electrically controlled actuating means to drive said cyclic switch means to stop said actuating means automatically at each of said sequential points in the operating cycle; scale means responsive to the load of material in said batch-container; a normally open first control circuit adapted when closed to cause energization of said actuating means; a normally open second control circuit adapted when closed to cause energization of said actuating means; means responsive to said scale means to close said first control circuit at each weight value in a first progressive series of selected weight values and to close said second control circuit at each weight value in a second progressive series of selected weight values; and switch means ior'making said two control circuits operative selectively whereby either of two sets of proportions may be had in said batch-container by appropriately adjusting said selective switch means in preparation for an operating cycle of said cyclic means.

5. An apparatus of the character described having in-combination: a plurality of material supply means; discharge-control means foreach of said supply means movable from a. normal ineffective position'to a discharge position; a batchcontainer adapted to receive material from said supply means; a cyclic means common to all of said discharge-control means and adapted to move said discharge-control means to their dis- 2,ase,1ao 9 charge positions in sequence at sequential points in an operating cycle; electrically controlled actuating means to drive said cyclic means through said operating cycle; switch means to stop said actuating meansfautomatlcally at each of said sequential points in the'operatin'g cycle; scale means responsive to the load of material in said batch-container; a normally open first control circuit adapted when closed to cause energization of said actuating means; a normally open second control circuit adapted when closed to cause energization of said actuating means; means responadapted to be operated by a material receiver to operate said second switch means selectively and automatically when the material receiver is moved into receiving position.

6. An apparatus of the. character described having in combination: a plurality Of material supplymeans: discharge control means for each of said supply means movable from a normal ineffective position to a discharg position; a batch-. container adapted to receive material rromsaid supply means: a cyclic means common to all oi said discharge-control means and adapted to move said discharge-control means to their discharge positions in sequence at sequential points in an operating cycle; actuating means to drive said cyclic means through said operating cycle; means to stop said actuating means to cause said cyclic means to pause at each of said sequential points in the operating cycle; means responsive to the weight of material in said batch-container to cause said actuating means to advance said cyclic means from said sequential points when the weight 01' material in the batch-container reaches predetermined values; closure means for controlling discharge from said batch-container to a material receiver, said closure means being adapted to open in response to movement of the material receiver to receiving position and being adapted to close in respons to movement of the material receiver out of receiving position; and automatic means eflective to start said operat ing cycle when said closure means closes luresponse to movement of the material receiver out of receiving position. v

7. An apparatus of the character described having in combination: a. plurality of material supply means; discharge-control means for each of said supply means movable from a normal ineilective position to a discharge position; a batch container adapted to receive material from said supply means; a cyclic means common to all of said discharge-control means and adapted to move said discharge-control means to their discharge positions in sequence at sequential points in an operating cycle; a motor to drive said cyclic means through said operating cycle; a circuit arrangement to energize and control said motor; a first switch means in said circuit arrangement responsive to said cyclic means to stop said cyclic means automatically at each of said sequential 5 points in the operating cycle; a second switch means in said circuit arrangement to cause said cyclic means to resume operation whenever the weight 1 of material in said batch-container reaches one of predetermined sequential values;

and a commutator in said circuit arrangement responsive to said cyclic means to restrict the instant weight values at which said second switch means is effective.

8. An apparatus asset forth in claim 7 in which said second switch means has a plurality of contacts representing selected weight values and in which said commutator operates to make said contacts eiiective in said circuitarrangement sequentially.

9. In an apparatus of'the character described having in combination: a plurality of material supply means; a mechanically operable means for each oi said supply means to control discharge thereirom, each' of said discharge means being normally closed; a power driven actuating unit common to all of said discharge meansto mechanically open temporarily each of said ,discharge means in sequence at sequential points in an operating cycle; a circuit arrangement for controlling said actuating unit; a first switch means insaid circuit arrangement responsive to said power-driven actuating unit to stop said actuating unit automatically at each of said sequential .points in the operating cycle; and a 4 mined sequential values.

10. An apparatus or the character described having injcombinationza pluralit of material supply means; discharge-control means for each of said supply means movable from a normal -inei1ective position to a discharge position; a

batch-container adapted to receive material from said supply means; a cyclic means common to.

all of said discharge-control means and adapted to move said discharge-control means to their discharge positions in sequence at sequential points in an operating cycle; a motor to drive said cyclic means through said operatin cycle; a circuit arrangement to energize and control said motor, said circuit arrangement including a plurality of parallel circuits representing selected weight values; a switch means in said circuit arrangement responsive to said cyclic means to stop said cyclic means automatically at each of said sequential points in the operating cycle; a

on cyclic switch included in said cyclic means to 'close contacts in said parallel circuits sequentially; and a switch responsive to the weight oi material in said batch-container to close contacts in said parallel circuits sequentially as material 5 in the batch-container reaches weights represented by the parallel circuits, thereby cooperating with said cyclic switch to close the parallel circuits.

- WAL'IER E. SAXE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,356,130. December 7, 1&5.

WALTER E. SAXE.

It is hereby certified that erronappears in the printed specificationof the above nmhbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5 first column, line 15, for "switch 55" read --switch 58"; and second column, line 1+3, for "position" read --portion--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withjthia correction therein that the same may conform to the recorder the case in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this 8th day of February, A. D. 19M

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Sea1) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

- CER'I'IFIICAIE 0F CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,556,130. December 7, 1%.}. I

WALTER E. SAXE.

It is hereoj certified that erronappears In the printed specification of the above nuinbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3 first colnmn, line 15, for "switch 55 read --switch 58"} and second column, line 1 3, for "position" read -portion--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withjthis correction therein that the same may conform to the record'of the case in the Patent Office.

. I si ned and sealed this 8th day of February, A. I), 191414..

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Conqni saioner of Patents 

